Penny Alcohol Stove

Something I stumbled across:
Penny Alcohol Stove

-- Craig

Good find Craig

I've just finshed a pack of Coke cans so I can start making one of those "pepsi can" stoves. Now I find I've got to drink three cans of beer as well. Oh how we suffer.

Thanks for the tip.

Just off to the "offy".

one can is enough for one stove! http://thehanddrill.com/halconstove.htm

They are lightweight, and easy to use. Here's a site that covers a few more models. Have fun.

http://zenstoves.net/Stoves.htm

I also want to make a stove.
But I don't like beer...
Can you drink three more cans and save the empties for me ?

TIA.
<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I could not get the penny to seal - the alcohol would drain into the bottom before it started boiling. I replaced the penny with a short, fat screw (something like a #10x1/2") and it works great. It builds more pressure than the double-wall design.

Also, I have found that Pepsico cans are too thin and split easily. Coke or Dr. Pepper cans work okay. Those high-dollar 16-ounce energy drinks are even thicker. I'd rather empty a Heineken can than any of the soda, though.

Sure nooooo problem.

As it's you and it's in the interest of preparedness, I'll just pop out again and get another six pack.

Good job it's Heineken and not Bud <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Just kidding guys no offense meant.

So Alain when do you want my empties? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

... any time convenient for you.... If you like your beer when watching TV, I can wait for the next big football (or rugby...) game...
no hurry <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

And can you spare a penny (or tell me what diameter it is ...) ?


TIA.

Here is a source for a number of DIY stoves.
http://wings.interfree.it/html/main.html

I don't drink beer either. But I'm having a gathering at my house on July 4th, maybe I should supply a 6-pack of this for my guests. Otherwise I'll just have to dump it out.

Alain

That would be Rugby, when do England next beat <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> I mean play France <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I do have some old US pennies somewhere in my hovel, but just in case I can't find them, does anyone on the forum know what the equivalent would be in euro's, size and weight wise?

Just a question.

These are small fuel burners, what are the hazards associated with them.

I mean I was initially inclined toward the small screw idea, but then I got to thinking. We are afterall pressurising the fuel and heating it.

I've seen a BLEVE explosion even a small one is impressive to say the least. (read, scared the gravy out of me)

So ok these are not road tankers or pressurised cylinders, but over pressurising even a small can like these could I believe be a little dangerous.

So to the more experienced members and firemen here what are the risks in real terms, if any?

Benton, if you're supplying beer to visitors, open them yourself and pour them into a glass and hand THAT to them. Guys are not mentally conditioned to walk away from an aluminum can without squashing, twisting, tearing or denting it. And seeing a pristine can sitting on a counter and not being allowed to destroy it can bring on nervous tremors and panic attacks. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Sue

If you don't drink the stuff, don't dump it either.
Keep it to warm bratwursts up, before putting them on the grill of your BBQ....

<img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

This Penny design seems nice to me, because there is no need for some special glue or soldering paste....

Well I'm no fireman, but I have used one several times. It might be dangerous if you were dumping the stove full...but we are talking about ounces of fuel, not pints. You can boil 2-4 cups of water in less than 10 minutes with a single ounce. No need to put in anymore than that.

Although I see your point, I've never had any problems, but then I'm only burning an ounce to ounce 1/2 at a time and the fuel that you are using..denatured alcohol..is not violently flammable like Coleman fuel or gasoline.

If you don't bond the two can pieces together, any excess pressure will force them apart. If you use epoxy or JB Weld, that "safety valve" is not there.

I have not had one pop apart on me, but I have had them leak. I think one of the bigger dangers is having burning alcohol run out of the stove and catch something on fire.

FYI - A US penny is very similar in size, thickness, and color to a two-cent Euro coin. Monetarily the two-euro-cent is worth about 2.4 cents US, so it is not nearly as economically efficient. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Alwayslost

Thanks for the info on size, as to the economical aspect I hear you brother.

Hi Craig

Just got through my six pack of Heineken, what an ordeal, the weather was hot the sky blue and the beer cold, well you how it is.

So I cleaned out the can's as best I could and was about the start cutting when I checked through the pics. The ones on the site show a can with ribs. These have ribs top and bottom but also a raised panel for the label joining the two. So there is no clean ring as such to cut.

I think it's either a design / marketing change or the difference between exports. I have to go hunting to see if I can find one that exactly matches the one on the site.

http://www.garoo.net/photos/2003/08/20030819-heineken-02.jpg

The biggest benefit of using a Heineken can that I see is the cool factor, because it looks nice. For performance I have not seen a benefit to the flared-out ribs on the Heineken can. I also like it because it comes full of beer and does not have paint around the bottom.

The best way I have found to cut the can is to score it with a utility knife blade. I also tried an Exacto - hobby blade but it was more difficult to get a nice deep score. It is easier to hold the blade and rotate the can. I read on a web site (sorry, no link) about holding the blade inside a book with both the book and the can on a table. I used a block of wood.

Once you have a good score around the can it will tear very cleanly all the way around. It makes a very smooth (but still sharp) edge. You can also cut thru the can with the razor but I could not get as smooth a cut that way.

I have found that can of beer.. and made my first stove.

I used a small pair of cissors out of my toilet kit, my Leatherman PST + a power drill with 3 sizes of bits (and a few band-aids, to patch my thumb, when I broke the 1/16" drill bit and stick it in my thumb... <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> )

I erroneously translated the instructions about the "burner" part, so I had to do it a second time. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I used 2 cans of beer and one of soda (a red and white brand...)
And it works .... <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Now, I need to find wire strong enough for the pedestal and I will just have to time how long it takes to boil my pot of water....


Thanks for the link !

I made one last night. It went together nicely, but I think I may have some gas leaking around the edge is a few places. A bit of JB Weld last PM, can't wait to try it again tonight.

I don't have JB Weld here... and I don't know what to use instead of it ...

anyway, my stove doesn't show too many leaks....

Alain, any high strength two part epoxy should do the same job. If you can't find that use high temp silicone, which is used on exhaust systems for cars. Autoparts stores carry it on this side of the world. Haven't built one of the penny stoves yet, still looking for someone to empty a few beer cans for me, but i have built a couple of the photon style stoves and used automotive silicone and have not had any problems.

Thanks.
Will look for this silicone compound...

Still no pot support, nor windscreen.

But for indoors tests, it was not necessary : I just used that stove inside the oven of my gas cooker... <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Ideal conditions : no wind, air temp = 25?C (77?F), initial tap water temp = 21?C (70?F), combustible = "alcool ? br?ler ? 90?" (ethyl alcool, denatured, 90%)
Pot = an alu cup, capacity 1/2 liter, but only 25cl (about 0.066 US gal) of water was used. (that's what is needed for most dehydrated meals I can find here in France).
I loaded my penny stove, with 5cl (0.013 US gal) of ethyl alcool.
Using a boyscout flint, I lighted the stove.
The pot was a bit less than 1 inch above the stove.
The water was boiling after 5 minutes (flames all around the pot ...).
I then added the simmer ring and kept the water boiling for another 45 minutes !!!!!! <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I needed less than 10 minutes to get 50cl of water to a boiling point, using a Trangia rectangular mess tin (the little one - 11cm or 4.33 inches length)

They are so great (and fun to build - except when the drilling bit is planted in the thumb - see previous post... <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />), I bought a 6 pack of beer, to make a few other stoves...... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

... and for non-English members :
a penny weighs 3.56 grams and has a diameter of 20.32 mm...
...that's 0.1256 ounce and 0.8 inch

A Euro 10 cents coin is about the same diameter (19,75 mm) but a bit heavier (4.10 grams).

I guess it's OK to use a 10 cents coin.... a bit more pressure inside the stove maybe...

Hmm, mine runs good, but I can't get water to boil. About 190 and that's it. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Some of the sites that show how to make a stove mention the wind screen is as important as anything else. Big temperature difference with vs without. Doesn't have to be fancy, just something to keep the hot gases in contact with the pot as long as possible.

Edit:
Oh... and I discovered the burner hole size, number and placement are fussy and critical. Too many, low pressure. Too few, low pressure. Too big, low pressure.

I've made, I dunno, 10? of these so far. Two work really well.

Mine seems to direct the flames slightly outward instead of slightly inward. I used an old sterno folding stove for windscreen/cup holder.

Oh well, back to the Heineken!

Correction :

the Tangria tin is 16 cm x 9 cm ( 6.3 x 3.54 inches)

I will make a few more this next week-end.
My first one seems to be fine ; I will just have to recut the top of the burner : unevenly cut with small scissors and a bit too high.

The "How to" explanations say to drill the burner tiny holes "vertically", which I did. Maybe yours are not straight and "looking" outside ..?? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />


(next stoves will be perfect : I just bought a Dremel tool ....)

A 5 eurocent coin is better (and cheaper .... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> )

I'm starting mass production, so cost reduction is a need...

I've made the second one, for a friend.

And I'm drinking beer as fast as I can (pun intended...) in order to make some more .... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Is anyone really using this as their only/main stove while *not* backpacking (i.e. car camping)?

Just wondering...

I used it for 3 days or so last summer during the first hurricane (Charlie). Power went out, and all my appliances are electric. Worked fine. All I tried, though, was oatmeal and different kinds of instant soup. I had no trouble boiling water. My biggest problem was over estimating how much fuel I'd need. A half inch or so of fuel will last 8-10 minutes, or longer. More than enough time to make soup.